Parachute



March 28, 1950 G. 1.. FQGAL 2,501,670

PARACHUTE Filed Feb. 12, 1948 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 26 22 26 I2 23 26 ll 26 26 G. L. FOGAL arch 28, 1950 PARACHUTE 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Feb. 12, 1948 Patented 28,

(Granted under the act of March 3, 1883, as amended April 30, 1928; 3'70 0. G. 757) 12 Claims.

The present invention relates generally to parachutes and more particularly to improvements therein providing stability in use and a substantially uniform distribution of the load from the shroud lines throughout the sections of the canopy.

In parachutes of the prior art it has generally been the practice to use fabric of equal porosity or permeability throughout the entire canopy. In such a case a fabric to be sufficiently permeable for stable operation of the parachute during the descent thereof may be of too great permeability to insure the opening of the canopy during the launching operation.

It has also been the practice in fastening the shroud lines to a parachute to use complicated gore fastening arrangements at the radial seams of the canopy sections or to use intricate reinforcing strips and hem cord arrangements when the shroud lines are fastened intermediate the radial seams of the canopy. All of the foregoing arrangements add considerably to the weight and bulk of the parachute.

In the parachute of the present invention the disadvantages of the prior art are to a large extent obviated. It has been discovered that greater stability during the descent of a parachute is accomplished by'the provision of a fabric canopy having crown sections of low permeability, intermediate sections of a higher permeability, and peripheral sections of a still higher permeability. The crown section of the canopy is formed of a fabric having low permeability so that the crown will catch suficient air to insure the opening of the parachute. The intermediate sections are formed of a fabric having a higher permeability than the crown section so that the intermediate sections will support the load and at the same time permit air to pass therethrough. The peripheral sections are formed of a fabric having a still higher permeability, thereby providing stability to the parachute by permitting a sufficient amount of air to pass through the fabric of the intermediate and peripheral sections to prevent spilling of the air at the peripheral edge of the canopy during the descent thereof.

A modification of the preferred embodiment of the present invention is contemplated in which the crown section is formed of two thicknesses of fabric to reduce permeability and increase the strength thereof, the remaining sections of the canopy being formed of single thickness fabric thereby providing such sections with greater permeability.

Substantially uniform load distribution is accomplished by attaching the shroud lines directly to the canopy sections at points spaced from the radial seams joining the sections together and by forming the sections of the canopy of a fabric having the warp and Weft thereof arranged on a bias.

An object of the present invention is to provide improvements in a parachute whereby stability during the descent thereof is attained.

Another object is to provide a canopy for a parachute having a crown section of low permeable fabric thereby to insure opening of the canopy during the launching operation.

Another object is to provide a sectional canopy for a parachute which is so constructed and arranged as to cause the air trapped in the canopy to pass through certain of the sections thereof in sufiicient quantities to prevent spilling of the air at the peripheral edge of the canopy.

Still another object is to provide a new and improved parachute wherein the shroud lines are attached to the canopy in a manner to improve the shock resistant and load distributing qualities of the parachute throughout the canopy.

A further object is to provide a parachute wherein the shroud lines are attached directly to the canopy sections without the use of reinforcing straps and gores or complicated hem arrangements and, at the same time, providing ample strength to prevent ripping or tearing of the canopy.

An additional object is to provide a new and improved canopy construction wherein the fabric is arranged on a bias to provide a load distributing arrangement which permits direct attachment of the shroud lines to the canopy intermediate the radial seams thereof.

A still further object is to provide a parachute having light weight, small bulk and which is strong, durable, and economical to manufacture.

Other objects, advantages, and arrangements will be apparent to those skilled in the art from the following specification taken in connection With the accompanying drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 is a view in side elevation of a parachute canopy with shroud lines attached thereto, and illustrating a preferred embodiment of the invention;

Fig. 2 is a view in top plan of the canopy of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is an enlarged detail elevational view of a portion of the canopy and illustrating the manner of attachment of one of the shroud lines thereto;

Fig. 4 is a sectional view taken along the line 44 of Fig. 3; and

Fig. 5 is a sectional view of an alternative form of the canopy construction.

Referring now to the drawings in which like numerals indicate like parts throughout the several views, there is shown a preferred embodiment of a parachute having a canopy indicated generally at H! and being formed of a plurality of sections of fabric having the warp and weft thereof set on a bias with relation to the edges of the sections as indicated by the diagonal lines of the shading in the several views of the drawings. A plurality of sections H and I2 forms the peripheral portion of the canopy l0 and the sections are joined together by radial seams I9. The peripheral sections are formed of a fabric having a porosity or permeability sufiicient to allow air trapped in the canopy to pass therethrough at a rate rapid enough to prevent spilling of the air at the peripheral edge of the canopy after the parachute is fully opened and is descending.

A plurality of sections l3, l4, l5, and It forms the intermediate portion of the canopy and the sections are joined together by a continuation of the radial seams l9 and are joined to the inner edges of the peripheral sections by a substantial- 1y circumferential seam 20, the seam being offset at the radial seams l9 to increase the strength of the seam connections and to minimize the possibility of a continuous tear along seam 2D. The intermediate sections are formed of a fabric having less permeability than that of the peripheral sections for the purpose of providing sufficient resistance to the passage of air therethrough to support the load to be carried by th parachute.

A pair of sections i7 and a single section l8 form the crown portion of the canopy, the sections ll being of somewhat elliptical formation The outer edges of sections I! are of less diam- Y eter than those of section l8. The purpose of the staggered arrangement of the seams 28 and 29 is to increase the strength of the canopy generally for the same reasons set forth hereinbefore in connection with the staggering of seam 2B. The crown section comprising sections H and section 18 is composed of a fabric of low porosity or permeability, the purpose being to insure the crown section resisting the passage of air therethrough sufliciently to cause opening of the canopy by reason of the air pressure developed on the crown section durin the launching operation.

The edges of the plurality of sections l i and I2 at the peripheral edge of the canopy ID are turned back as at'2i. A tape or'band 22 is placed over the turned back edges 2| and secured by rows of stitching 23 to the canopy 10, thereby to form a ravel-proof and reinforced edge for the canopy.

Shroud lines 24 formed of a suitable bias woven tubular shock absorbing material are attached to the canopy by zig-zag stitching 25, th stitching being back-tacked as at 26 adjacent the peripheral edge of the canopy. The shroud ,lines 2 are attached to the canopy at substantially a degree angle with respect to the tap or band 22 and extend a distance radially toward the crown portion of the canopy, such distance depending upon the load to be carried by the parachute. The shroud lines 24 are secured to the sections H and i2 in spaced radial relation with th radial seams l9 whereby distribution of the pulling force of the shroud lines over a wide area of the canopy sections is accomplished because of the bias arrangement of the fabric of the sections.

An alternative form of the canopy is illustrated in Fig. 5 of the drawings. The canopy is indicated generally at 3| and has a crown portion 32 composed of two plies of fabric 33 and 34, the remainder of the canopy being formed of single ply fabric as at 36. The purpose of providing a two ply crown portion is to increase the strength and to resist the passage of air therethrough, thereby to provide a less permeable crown portion. The remainder of the canopy is rendered more permeable by the use of single ply fabric.

From the foregoing it will be apparent that a parachute has been provided wherein the shroud lines have been attached and the fabric of the canopy has been arranged on a bias in such a manner as to distribute the load uniformly throughout the canopy, and to provide a canopy which is light in weight, resistant -to tearing at the point of attachment of the shroud lines and of th minimum bulk for the purpose intended. Moreover, the canopy construction is such as to render the parachute stable during descent by reason of the high permeability of the peripheral portion, and to facilitate the opening of the parachute during the launching operation by reason of the low permeability of the crown portion.

While the invention has been disclosed in particularity with reference to certain examples thereof which givesatlsfactory results, it will be understood that various additional embodiments, modifications, and changes may occur .to those skilled in the art, after understanding the invention, without departing from .thespiritand scope thereof as defined by the claims appended hereto, and it is my intention therefore to cover all such embodiments, modifications andchanges .in the claims.

The invention herein described and claimed may be manufactured layer for the Government of the United'States of America for governmental purposes without the payment of any royalties thereon or therefor.

What is claimed as new and desired to be securedby Letters Patent of the United States is:

1. A parachute having a sectional canopy in which the sections aresecured together by radial and circumferentialseams, the combinationof a crown portion composed of sections of bias arranged fabric having high resistance ,to the passage of .air therethrough, an intermediate portioncomposed of sections ofbiasarranged fabric having medium resistance to the passage of air therethrough, aperipheral portion composed of sections of bias arranged fabric having low resistance to the passage of air therethrough and having the peripheral edge thereof turned back a short distance, a circumferential tape secured by stitching adjacent the peripheral edge of the canopy andcovering said turned back portion, and a plurality of shroud lines attached directly to said canopy portions by zig-zag stitching at points in spaced relation to said radial seams, the attached portions of said shroud lines extending from the peripheral edge of the canopy toward the crown portion a distance commensurate with the load to be carried by the parachute.

2. A parachute comprising, in combination, a canopy comprising a plurality of bias arranged fabric sections joined together by radial and circumferential seams at the mutual edges thereof, the sections at the peripheral edge of the canopy being turned back a short distance, a reinforcing fabric tape attached by stitching to the canopy at the peripheral edge thereof and covering said turned back portion, and a plurality of bias woven fabric shroud lines attached to the canopy in spaced relation to the radial seams by zig-zag stitching and having the attached portion extending from the peripheral edge toward the center of the canopy a distance commensurate with the load to be carried by the parachute.

3. A parachute constructed and arranged to uniformly distribute the load carried thereby comprising the combination of a sectional canopy having the sections thereof joined by radial and circumferential seams and having the fabric thereof arranged on a bias with respect to the peripheral edge of the canopy, and a plurality of shroud lines having a portion of the length thereof attached to said canopy in spaced relation to said radial seams and extending toward the center of the canopy a predetermined distance according to the load to be carried by the parachute.

4. A parachute adapted to uniformly distribute the load carried thereby comprising a canopy in. cluding a plurality of bias arranged fabric sections joined together at their edges by radial seams, and a plurality of shroud lines attached in pairs to certain ones of said bias arranged fabric sections intermediate the radial seams thereof.

5. In a parachute, the combination of a canopy comprising a plurality of canopy sections composed of a fabric having the warp and weft thereof arranged on a bias with respect to the peripheral edge of said canopy, and a plurality of pairs of shroud lines attached respectively to certain ones of said sections in spaced relation to the radial edges thereof, the attached portion of each of said shroud lines being extended toward the center of the canopy a distance commensurate with the load to be carried by the parachute.

6. In a parachute, the combination of a canopy comprising a plurality of canopy sections, said sections being formed of a fabric and attached together by radial and circumferential seams to form the canopy with the Warp and weft of the sections arranged on a bias with respect to the peripheral edge of the canopy, a circumferential reinforcing tape secured by stitching to the canopy adjacent the peripheral edge thereof, and a plurality of groups of shroud lines attached respectively to certain ones of said canopy sections in spaced relation to said radial seams and to said tape, the attached portion of each of said shroud lines extending inwardly toward the center of the canopy a distance commensurate with the load to be carried by the parachute.

7. In a parachute, the combination of a canopy having a plurality of canopy sections composed of fabric, said sections being secured together by radial and circumferential seams to form the canopy with the warp and weft of the sections arranged on a bias with respect to the peripheral edge of said canopy, the peripheral edge of the canopy being turned back a short distance, a circumferential tape stitched to the canopy adjacent the peripheral edge thereof and covering said turned back portion of the canopy, a plurality of shroud lines for the canopy, and zig-zag stitching for attaching a portion of each of the shroud lines to the sections individual thereto in spaced relation to the said radial seams, the attached portion of each of the shroud lines extending toward the center of the canopy a distance commensurate with the load to be carried by the parachute.

8. In a parachute, the combination of a canopy comprising a crown portion, an intermediate portion, and a peripheral portion, each of said portions being formed of a plurality of fabric sections set on a bias, radial and substantially circumferential seams for joining said sections together, a circumferential reinforcing tape secured adjacent the peripheral edge of the can-- opy, a plurality of pairs of shroud lines respectively attached by zig-zag stitching to said peripheral sections intermediate said radial seams and to said tape, the shroud lines extending inwardly toward said crown portion of the canopy a distance commensurate with the load to be carried by the parachute.

9. In a parachute, the combination of a hemispherical canopy having a crown portion of substantially circular formation in plan and concave-convex formation in section and comprising a large section of bias arranged fabric forming a, part of the outside diameter of the crown portion and having a pair of cutaway portions at opposite sides thereof and a pair of substantially elliptical sections of bias arranged fabric secured to the large section Within said pair of cutaway portions thereof and presenting a lesser outside diameter to the crown portion than the large section, a plurality of bias arranged fabric intermediate sections respectively secured at the inner edges thereof to the sections comprising the crown portion and at the side edges to each other, a plurality of bias arranged peripheral sections respectively secured at the inner edges thereof to the outer edges of the intermediate sections in stepped relation thereby providing a circumferential seam which is discontinuous at the radial seams and at the side edges to each other, the outer edges of the peripheral sections being turned back a short distance, a circumferential tape secured adjacent the outer edges of the peripheral sections and covering the turned back portions thereof, and a plurality of shroud lines having a portion of the length thereof attached by zig-zag stitching to the canopy, the shroud lines extending inwardly toward the crown portion a distance commensurate to the load to be carried by the parachute.

10. A parachute constructed and arranged for positive opening, stable flight and uniform load distribution comprising the combination of a canopy having crown, intermediate and peripheral portions formed respectively of fabric of different porosities in accordance with predetermined opening, load carrying, and anti-spilling characteristics of the parachute, the peripheral portion of the parachute being formed in sections joined by radial seams and having the warp and Weft of the fabric thereof arranged on a bias with respect to the peripheral edge of the canopy, and a plurality of groups of shroud lines stitched to certain ones of said peripheral sections intermediate said radial seams and extended radially a predetermined distance toward the crown portion of the parachute selectively in accordance with the load to be carried thereby.

11. In a parachute, the combination of a hemispherical canopy having a crown portion of substantially circular formation in plan and concave-convex formation in section and comprising a major section of fabric forming diametrically opposed parts of the outer periphery of the crown portion and having a pair of cutaway portions at opposite sides thereof and a pair of substantially elliptical minor sections of fabric secured to the major section within said pair of cutaway portions and providing an outside periphery for the crown portion of lesser diameter than the major section, and a plurality of fabric sections constructed and arranged to form the remainder of the canopy and interfittingly secured to the major and minor sections of the crown portion at the outer peripheries thereof thereby to provide a circumferential seam which is discontinuous at the point of securement of the major and minor sections to the sections forming the remainder of the canopy.

12. In a sectionalized parachute canopy, the combination with peripheral sections of the canopy of a substantially circular crown portion hav- 8 ing a major section of fabric forming diametrically opposed parts of the outer periphery of the crown portion and having a pair of diametrically opposed substantially semi-elliptical cutaway sections, and a pair of substantially elliptical minor sections of fabric secured to the major section within said pair of cutaway sections and providing an outer periphery of lesser diameter for the crow portion than the major section.

GORDON L. FOGAL.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 2,134 362 Frieder Oct. 25, 1938 2,358,582 Little Sept. 19, 1944 2,411,868 Brown Dec. 8, 1946 2,412,392 Finken Dec. 10, 1946 2,422,440 Severance June 17, 1947 2,426,926 Frieder Sept. 2, 1947 

